Hypertensive Nephropathy (Root Deficiency Pattern)
Hypertensive nephropathy is a disease caused by primary hypertension that involves benign arteriolar nephrosclerosis (also known as hypertensive nephrosclerosis) or malignant arteriolar nephrosclerosis, accompanied by corresponding clinical manifestations.
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), hypertensive nephropathy is generally classified under “dizziness,” “low back pain,” “consumptive disease,” and “edema.”
TCM Pattern Identification and Medication Reference
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Swelling below the waist that pits on pressure and does not rebound; cold, aching, heavy soreness in the lower back; aversion to cold and fatigue; a pale or dull-gray complexion; a pale, swollen tongue with a white coating; and a deep, thin pulse or a deep, slow, weak pulse.
In plain language:
- Swelling occurs below the waist. Pressing the area leaves a dent that is slow to disappear.
- The lower back feels cold and painful, with an aching, heavy sensation that may feel worse with activity or prolonged sitting.
- You may be sensitive to cold and tire easily, with low energy.
- The complexion may look pale and shiny or dull and gray, suggesting a poor complexion.
- The tongue may be pale and enlarged, appearing broad and thick when extended.
- The tongue may have a white coating visible on its surface.
- The pulse may be felt clearly only with deeper pressure and may be thin or slow and weak, with reduced strength.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Tonify the kidneys and strengthen yang; secure the kidneys and strengthen the lower back.
In plain language:
- Support kidney function and replenish kidney qi, with the aim of helping energy and physical strength recover.
- Strengthen yang to help warm and energize the body and reduce sensitivity to cold.
- Help consolidate kidney qi and support the lower back, with the aim of easing soreness or weakness in the lower back and knees.
| Related Products
The products below are provided for information only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Edema, aversion to cold and cold extremities, increased nighttime urination, soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, a pale, swollen tongue with teeth marks, and a deep or deep, slow pulse.
In plain language:
- Swelling may occur, making the body look puffy and tight. The swelling may be noticeable when pressed and slow to subside.
- You may be sensitive to cold, with cold hands and feet that are slow to warm up.
- You may need to get up to urinate more often at night, disrupting sleep and rest.
- The lower back and knees may feel sore, heavy, and weak, with a sense of reduced strength when walking or sitting for a long time.
- The tongue may be pale and enlarged, with tooth marks along its edges.
- The pulse may be felt clearly only with deeper pressure, or may be slow and deep with little strength.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Warm the kidneys and dispel cold; reduce urination and address incontinence.
In plain language:
- Warm and support kidney qi to help strengthen yang and reduce sensitivity to cold.
- Dispel internal cold to help ease cold, aching sensations in the lower back and knees and coldness in the limbs.
- Strengthen the body’s ability to contain fluids, with the aim of reducing frequent urination or excessive urination at night.
- Help ease manifestations such as seminal emission or involuntary leakage, and support a sense of stability and strength.
| Related Products
The products below are provided for information only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Edema; reduced urine output or copious, clear urination; aversion to cold and cold limbs; cold pain in the lower back and knees; a pale, swollen tongue with a white coating; and a deep, slow, weak pulse.
In plain language:
- Swelling may occur, making the body look puffy and tight. The swelling may be noticeable when pressed and slow to subside.
- Urine output may be low, or the urine may be clear and passed in larger amounts over a longer period.
- You may be sensitive to cold, with hands and feet that feel cold and are slow to warm up.
- The lower back and knees may feel cold and painful, especially with activity or prolonged sitting.
- The tongue may be pale and enlarged, with a white coating on its surface.
- The pulse may be felt clearly only with deeper pressure and may be slow and weak.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Tonify the kidneys and replenish essence; boost qi and strengthen yang.
In plain language:
- Support kidney function and replenish essence, with the aim of easing soreness or weakness in the lower back and knees and feelings of fatigue.
- Replenish the body’s essence to support physical strength and a better sense of well-being.
- Support qi to help strengthen breathing and reduce easy fatigability during activity.
- Strengthen yang to help warm and energize the body and reduce sensitivity to cold.
| Related Products
The products below are provided for information only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Cloudy urine resembling rice-washing water or oil, possibly with clots or blood; a red tongue with a yellow, greasy coating; and a soggy, rapid pulse.
In plain language:
- The urine may look cloudy and whitish, like rice-washing water, or oily; it may contain small clots or blood.
- The tongue may look noticeably red.
- The tongue may have a yellow, sticky coating that looks thick and greasy.
- The pulse may feel soft and somewhat fast, with a supple quality and an increased rate.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Distinguish clear from turbid substances and transform turbidity; warm the kidneys and promote urination to resolve dampness.
In plain language:
- Support the body’s ability to separate clear from turbid substances in the urine and promote normal urination.
- Help transform internal turbidity, with the aim of easing a sticky feeling in the mouth, dizziness, or a heavy feeling in the body.
- Warm and support kidney qi to help strengthen yang and reduce sensitivity to cold.
- Promote the elimination of dampness to support urination and help reduce swelling.
| Related Products
The products below are provided for information only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Dry eyes; irritability and dry mouth; soreness in the lower back and weakness in the knees; seminal emission; a red tongue with a thin coating; and a wiry, thin pulse.
In plain language:
- The eyes may feel dry or as if there is something in them, with soreness or irritation that may worsen after prolonged visual activity.
- You may feel restless or irritable and have a dry mouth, with dryness when speaking or swallowing.
- The lower back may ache and the knees may feel weak, especially with activity or prolonged sitting.
- Seminal emission may occur involuntarily and cause distress.
- The tongue may be red with a very thin coating, with little thick coating visible.
- The pulse may feel taut like a stretched string and thin, with relatively little force.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Nourish the liver and kidneys; nourish yin and replenish essence.
In plain language:
- Nourish the liver and kidneys to support essence and blood, with the aim of easing blurred vision and soreness or weakness in the lower back and knees.
- Nourish yin fluids in the body to support balance between yin and yang and help ease manifestations such as deficiency heat, irritability, or night sweats.
- Replenish the body’s essence and qi to support physical strength and a gradual return of energy.
| Related Products
The products below are provided for information only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Shortness of breath and fatigue; susceptibility to colds; soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees; a pale-red tongue with a white coating; and a weak pulse.
In plain language:
- You may become short of breath easily and feel tired after mild activity, with low energy overall.
- You may catch colds repeatedly and be more susceptible to illness, especially after exposure to wind or cold.
- The lower back and knees may feel sore and weak, with a sense of poor support when walking or sitting for a long time.
- The tongue may be pale red and appear less vividly colored.
- The tongue may have a white coating, and the pulse may feel weak when pressed.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Tonify and benefit the lungs and kidneys; secure essence and boost qi.
In plain language:
- Support lung function and breathing to help ease shortness of breath and fatigue.
- Nourish the kidneys and support essence and qi, with the aim of easing soreness or weakness in the lower back and knees and fatigue.
- Help secure essence and qi, with the aim of reducing seminal emission or involuntary leakage.
- Support qi and physical strength to help improve energy and overall well-being.
| Related Products
The products below are provided for information only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Palpitations and shortness of breath; insomnia and forgetfulness; soreness and weakness in the lower back and legs; tinnitus or hearing loss; a red or pale tongue; and a thin, weak pulse.
In plain language:
- Your heart may pound or feel unsettled, and you may become short of breath or more tired when speaking or being active.
- You may sleep poorly or have insomnia, and experience forgetfulness during the day or difficulty retaining information.
- The lower back and legs may feel sore and weak, with reduced strength when walking or sitting for a long time.
- You may hear ringing or buzzing in the ears, notice reduced hearing, or have episodes of difficulty hearing clearly.
- The tongue may be red or pale in color.
- The pulse may feel thin and weak, with little force, and may be easier to detect with steady pressure.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Tonify the kidneys and boost qi; nourish the blood and generate essence.
In plain language:
- Support kidney function and replenish essence and qi, with the aim of easing soreness or weakness in the lower back and knees and fatigue.
- Support qi and physical strength to promote energy and reduce feelings of fatigue and weakness.
- Nourish the blood to support a healthy complexion and vitality.
- Support the generation of essence to help restore physical strength and support reproductive and growth functions.
| Related Products
The products below are provided for information only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
References
- Ministry of Health of the People’s Republic of China. Guidelines for Clinical Research on New Traditional Chinese Medicines [S]. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2002: 156-162.
- Nephrology Branch of the China Association of Chinese Medicine. Diagnosis, pattern differentiation and efficacy assessment of chronic renal failure (trial scheme) [J]. Shanghai Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2007, 4(8): 8-9.
- Wang Yong, Jiang Zhenghui. Practical Handbook of Chinese Patent Medicines [M]. Xi’an: Fourth Military Medical University Press, 2007.
- Zhou Zhongying. Internal Medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine [M]. 2nd ed. Beijing: China Press of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2008.
- Xu Liping. Practical Handbook of Chinese Patent Medicines [M]. Beijing: China Press of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2010.
- Yang Peimin, Sun Hongsheng, Yao Li. Handbook of New Chinese Patent Medicines [M]. Shandong: Shandong Science and Technology Press, 2014.
- Cai Yanfang, Chen Zhiling, Zhang Lifen. Clinical observation of Songling Xuemaikang in the treatment of primary hypertension [J]. China Medical Herald, 2011, 9(30): 339-341.
- Zhou Jingrong. Treatment of hypertension in older adults with Tianma Gouteng Granules combined with commonly used Western medicines [J]. Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae, 2013, 19(7): 327-328.
- Liu Ye, Luo Donghua, Jiang Huiqian. Clinical observation of Tianma Gouteng Granules combined with captopril in the treatment of 63 cases of primary hypertension [J]. Guiding Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, 2014, 20(13): 73-75.
- Wu Chunxia, Jia Xi. Preliminary investigation of the efficacy of Tianma Gouteng Granules in treating hypertension in menopausal women [J]. Medical Information, 2010, 23(12): 4582-4584.
- Guo Xibao, Xing Guang. Overview of the treatment of hypertension with Chinese patent medicines [J]. Journal of Practical Traditional Chinese Internal Medicine, 2013, 27(5): 159-161.
- Wang Lingchun. Clinical observation of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine in treating early renal damage in primary hypertension [J]. Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2005, 21(6): 366-367.
- Ma Zebin, Chen Guangliang, Zhu Keke. Research progress on the prevention and treatment of hypertensive nephropathy with traditional Chinese medicine [J]. Chinese Journal of Ethnomedicine and Ethnopharmacy, 2016, 12: 27.